Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Medication

  • Author: Christian A Koch, MD, PhD, FACP, FACE; Chief Editor: Stephen Kemp, MD, PhD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 6, 2010
 

Medication Summary

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogens has been the standard of practice for postorchidectomy patients with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). Although most physicians prescribe estrogen alone, some physicians have begun adding progesterone to the regimen, based upon a relatively small amount of data that suggests progesterone may lower the risk of breast cancer, have a role in the ductal development of the breast, or have some role in bone mineral accretion. (These potential benefits are hypothetical.)

Administration of androgens in more masculinized patients with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (PAIS) has been suggested but remains highly controversial. Because some patients now are assigned male gender and are identifying as males in adulthood, this treatment probably will be described more extensively soon. No data currently describe dosage, administration, benefits, or adverse effects of androgen administration to patients with androgen insensitivity syndrome. Dosage and response likely depends on the severity of the receptor defect. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or androgen analogues that cannot be aromatized to estrogen appear to be the treatments of choice.

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Estrogens

Class Summary

These agents are used as hormone replacement for women with androgen insensitivity syndrome who are postgonadectomy to support development and maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics and to prevent osteoporosis.

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Conjugated estrogens (Premarin)

 

Represents the average composition of estrogens in pregnant mare urine. Composed of estrone, equilin, 17-alpha estradiol, equilenin, and 17-alpha dihydroequilenin (in small amount). Rapidly biotransformed after administration.

Ethinyl estradiol (Estinyl)

 

Bioequivalence of various estrogens is quite unclear, but 5-10 mcg of ethinyl estradiol equals approximately 300 mcg of conjugated estrogens in terms of quantifiable metabolic effects on sex hormone binding globulin and gonadotropins.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Christian A Koch, MD, PhD, FACP, FACE  Professor and Director, Division of Endocrinology, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Christian A Koch, MD, PhD, FACP, FACE is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Endocrine Society, and German Diabetes Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Arlan L Rosenbloom, MD  Adjunct Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine; Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology

Arlan L Rosenbloom, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Epidemiology, American Pediatric Society, Endocrine Society, Florida Pediatric Society, Pediatric Endocrine Society, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lynne Lipton Levitsky, MD  Chief, Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

Lynne Lipton Levitsky, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Diabetes Association, American Pediatric Society, Endocrine Society, Pediatric Endocrine Society, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Pfizer Grant/research funds P.I.; Tercica Grant/research funds Other; Eli Lily Grant/research funds PI; NovoNordisk Grant/research funds PI; NovoNordisk Consulting fee Consulting; Onyx Heart Valve Consulting fee Consulting

Merrily P M Poth, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Stephen Kemp, MD, PhD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Arkansas Children's Hospital

Stephen Kemp, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Pediatric Society, Endocrine Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Southern Medical Association, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Bruce E Wilson, MD to the development and writing of this article.

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Penoscrotal hypospadias is shown. Note the associated ventral chordee and true urethral meatus located at the scrotal level.
 
 
 
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